Reconfigurable protocols and architectures for wireless networks

ABSTRACT

A reconfigurable architecture for wireless digital data and voice communications is provided for ad hoc and/or an ad hoc collection of organized networks. At least some user wireless communication units serve as relay stations for other users units, enabling any user within the range of another, participating user to gain access to the local- and wider-area networks in a multihop process. Reconfigurable hardware enables dynamic protocol “preferencing”, and easy upgrades to potential future wireless protocol standards. Power-efficient communication takes place by using multihop radio communication at the local level and high-speed point-to-point links (e.g. fiber, satellite) at the global level. Microcells within a network community are aggregated into cells by use of a local-area-network (LAN) backbone of higher speed wireless and/or wired connections. Every time a microcell connects to the wireless backbone, microcells or individual users in surrounding blocks can also connect to the network.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication, Ser. No. 60/340,691, filed on Dec. 14, 2001, which isincorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimedpursuant to 35 USC 119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to the field of computer networks and inparticular to wireless networks in which there is no standard or sharedprotocol.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Current commercial wireless communication architectures forcomputer networks are characterized by low effective bandwidth per userand are not well suited to low-cost, rapid scaling or expansion in largemetropolitan areas. Current commercial wireless networks are usuallylimited in geographic extent and find applications only in specialenvironments where multiple users are closely bound together by a commonorganizational association of some sort, which allows the imposition ofa shared protocol and location for those users.

[0006] Developing outside of commercial wireless networks are more thantwo dozen noncommercial community wireless networking organizationsestablished by volunteers in North America and several Europeancountries.

[0007] A conventional wired computer network is a group of computersconnected by physical cabling, either network cabling inside a buildingor telephone lines or data circuits outside a building. Traditionally,such connectivity has used copper wires to carry the electrical signals.Over the past two decades, fiber optic cable has become commonly usedand is now included in this class of “wired” connectivity.

[0008] Over the past few years, a new way to create network connectionshas emerged which does not use wires. It is called wirelessconnectivity. Wireless connections all use some form of radio waves,e.g. microwaves at the higher end, to carry data from a transmitter to areceiver. Four different categories of wireless communications aregenerally used for network connectivity: radio, microwave, infrared, andsatellite. Satellite is different from microwave only because itstransmitter/receiver is not earth-bound. Satellites use microwavefrequencies to carry their signals. All wireless technologies usestandard computer networking technology saddled over a wireless medium:the airwaves. Because signals are transmitted across space, there is nocable between network access points, and, therefore, no monthly linecharges for leasing a physical wire. This is wireless connectivity'smajor advantage.

[0009] Community wireless networking is the organization of a pluralityof wireless users within radio range of each other, which share a commonnetwork protocol so that they can communicate with each other and usecommon resources. They are interconnected through radio links as opposedto hardwired lines, but when wirelessly interconnected, they can thentap into the hardwired network of the wirelessly connected user. Asthese wireless community networks develop, a plurality of differentnetwork protocols are adopted with no single protocol being used by all.While software translation between different network protocols ispossible, such software translation requires a substantial amount ofcomputing in a general microprocessor with unlimited electrical power.The major limitation of such community wireless networks is the need fora common protocol among all of them and the inability to undertakemultihops within a wireless network or between multiple wirelessnetworks.

[0010] Therefore what is needed is a low-power means for universallyconnecting or communicating multiple wireless networks together whichuse different network protocols.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The network or networks of the invention are readily expanded andreconfigured. What is disclosed is a scalable or reconfigurablearchitecture for wireless digital data and voice communications via adhoc and/or an ad hoc collection of organized networks. This architecturedeparts from current commercial wireless communication architectures,which are characterized by low effective bandwidth per user and are notwell suited to low-cost, rapid scaling in large metropolitan areas.

[0012] One of the basic principles of this architecture is that of ahierarchy of networks, built on local community networking via sharedresources with enough flexibility to provide service on demand and toenable growth as the need arises. In the proposed architecture, at leastsome user wireless communication units serve as relay stations for otherusers units, enabling any user within the range of another,participating user to gain access to the local- and wider-area networksin a multihop manner. The success of the architecture depends on thedevelopment of an energy-efficient, multihop, ad hoc network routingprotocol. This is implemented in reconfigurable hardware to enabledynamic protocol “preferencing”, and easy upgrades to potential futurewireless protocol standards.

[0013] Power-efficient communication takes place by multihop radio atthe local level and via high-speed point-to-point links (e.g. fiber,satellite) at the global level. In a typical community, the home of eachuser is equipped with a rooftop radio transceiver that, together with anumber of neighboring similar units, is a member of a microcell. Eachsuch unit is capable of communicating with a central unit of themicrocell, either directly or by relay via one of the other members.When at home, a user's telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA),laptop computer with wireless modern, or other communication deviceconnects with the network via the in-home wireless link and the rooftoptransceiver. When out of range of the in-home wireless link, the userconnects to the network via someone else's rooftop transceiver, orportable wireless device, in a multihop fashion.

[0014] Microcells within a community are aggregated into cells by use ofa local-area-network (LAN) backbone of higher speed wireless and/orwired connections. Every time a microcell connects to the wirelessbackbone, microcells or individual users in surrounding blocks can alsoconnect to the network. Repeating this process, a network serving awider area is provided. At various locations, the wireless traffic isplaced on the Internet backbone.

[0015] In particular the invention is an apparatus for reconfiguring aplurality of networks, each having a different network protocol into anintercommunicated network. The apparatus comprises a protocol stack anda reconfigurable protocol chip coupled the protocol stack. The protocolstack comprises an application layer, a transport layer, a networklayer, a data link layer and a physical layer which are seriallyintercommunicated to each other. The network layer and data link layerare included at least in part in the reconfigurable protocol chip. Thetransport layer and physical layer are communicated to thereconfigurable protocol chip.

[0016] The reconfigurable protocol chip is comprised of a dynamicallyreconfigurable protocol~realization module communicated to the physicallayer, a protocol sensing module communicated to the physical layer, areconfiguration control engine communicated to the protocol sensingmodule and to the dynamically reconfigurable protocol realizationmodule, a protocol selection module communicated to the protocol sensingmodule and to the reconfiguration control engine; and a memory forstoring a plurality of different network protocols.

[0017] In a first embodiment the dynamically reconfigurable protocolrealization module is implemented within a dynamic field programmablegate array. The protocol sensing module, the reconfiguration controlengine, and the protocol selection module are implemented within acontrol field programmable gate array. The memory is implemented in aflash memory.

[0018] In a second embodiment the dynamically reconfigurable protocolrealization module is implemented within a dynamic field programmablegate array and within a software controlled processor. The protocolsensing module is implemented within a control field programmable gatearray, and wherein the reconfiguration control engine, and the protocolselection module are implemented within the control field programmablegate array and a software controlled processor.

[0019] The protocol sensing module is comprised of a course acquisitionloop for generation of multiple confidence states of valid protocoldetection, and a fine tracking loop for allowance of some degradation ofinformation content. The protocol sensing module identifies networkprotocols by analyzing periodic frame headers and preambles. Theprotocol sensing module generates a command on detection of a networkprotocol and the reconfiguration control engine reconfigures the dynamicprotocol realization in response to the command from the protocolsensing module. The protocol selection module fetches a stored networkprotocol from the memory in response to the command from the protocolsensing module. The protocol selection module interfaces the memory withthe reconfiguration control engine.

[0020] The invention is also defined as a method of performing thefunctions of the modules disclosed above.

[0021] While the apparatus and method has or will be described for thesake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to beexpressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way bythe construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to beaccorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definitionprovided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, andin the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112. Theinvention can be better visualized by turning now to the followingdrawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is diagram of a collection of networks in which theinvention is employed.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the communication layers with whichthe reconfigurable protocol chip of the invention is employed.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a block diagram the operational modules included withinthe reconfigurable protocol chip.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the protocol sensing module showingits component submodules.

[0026]FIG. 5a is a block diagram of a first embodiment of thereconfigurable protocol chip implemented in two field programmable gatearrays.

[0027]FIG. 5b is a block diagram of a second embodiment of thereconfigurable protocol chip implemented in two field programmable gatearrays and a software controlled processor.

[0028] The invention and its various embodiments can now be betterunderstood by turning to the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of theinvention defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that theinvention as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustratedembodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The invention is directed to an apparatus and a method forproviding an architecture and a hardware implementation for realizing anearth- or space-based dynamic reconfigurable protocol chip for wirelesscomputer networks. This architecture, its associated object orienteddesign methods, and partial reconfiguration techniques enable rapidautonomous reconfiguration of communications network functions. Thisreconfiguration provides long-life communications infrastructure,enables dynamic operation within networks with heterogeneous nodes, andcompatibility between heterogeneous networks, i.e. distributed networksusing different protocols.

[0030] The development of such radios and the network protocol chippresented here require defining the correct combination of processingmethods (“objects”) and developing appropriate dynamic reconfigurationtechniques as a function of system goals and operating parameters.Dynamic reconfiguration techniques to be developed as part of thiseffort include autonomous network/protocol identification and autonomousnetwork node reconfiguration.

[0031] In the case of space-based communications among networks ofsatellites the requirements that drive the section and performancecriteria of the protocols include but are not limited to the following:

[0032] 1. Bandwidth, latency, bit-error rate, link admission, hand-off,flow control, bad balancing, route availability/adaptability

[0033] a. Science data traffic

[0034] b. Engineering data traffic

[0035] i. Diagnostic data

[0036] ii. Control data

[0037] iii. Navigation data

[0038] 2. Spacecraft configuration/topology

[0039] a. Number of spacecraft

[0040] b. Homogeneous versus heterogeneous nodes

[0041] c. Standard topology (star, ring, string-of-pearls)

[0042] 3. Mission cost/schedule/risk

[0043] a. Trades between QoS and mission cost, schedule, and risk mightdictate adoption of network protocols that are otherwise suboptimal

[0044] b. Protocol maturity and reliability

[0045] The criteria presented impose the use multiple space networkcommunication protocols. Lack of standardization and commericialcompetition can be expected to provide a plurality of different networkcommunication protocols in earth-based networks. In particular networksthat have heterogeneous nodes or when two or more networks use differentnetwork protocols (derived from their respective network requirements)there is a need for resource sharing; these networks should be able tocommunicate with nodes in another network. The invention reduces thecost and risk of future wireless networks by enabling internetworkingcompatibility and therefore more general resource sharing.

[0046] The above requirements result in the following technology needs:

[0047] 1. Enable resource sharing and network compatibility amongheterogeneous networks (i.e. multiple distributed spacecraft missions ormultiple earth-based networks each operating a different networkprotocol) or networks with heterogeneous nodes.

[0048] 2. Enable reconfigurable network links.

[0049] 3. Reduce the overall infrastructure cost by developing a commonplatform for realizing network protocols.

[0050]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic depiction of a heterogeneous collectionof wireless networks 10, 12, 18, 24 and 28 together with a plurality ofhubs, servers or bridges 14, 16, 20, 22, 24 and 30. Each network uses adifferent networking protocol. Network 10 is comprised of a plurality ofusers 32 each of which are directly communicated by hardline or wirelesslinks to a central server 30 in a star formation. Server 30 iscommunicated by a hardline or wireless link to server 14, which isdedicated to a linear chain of wireless users 34 comprising network 12.Server 14 is communicated by a hardline or wireless link to bridge 20,which in turn is communicated by a hardline or wireless link to servers22 and 24. Server 24 is dedicated to network 26 comprised of users 36interconnected in a wireless loop. Server 22 is dedicated to network 28comprised of users 38 interconnected in a wireless tree. Server 16 iscommunicated by a hardline or wireless-links to both servers 14 and 22and to a plurality of arbitrarily communicated users 40. Altogether allthe networks and users of FIG. 1 comprise a collective intercommunicatednetwork 42 according to the invention.

[0051] The invention can be thought of as divided into three overlappingcomponents to be integrated into a single system, namely thereconfigurable protocol chip. The first component is an apparatus andmethod for autonomous protocol detection and application of objectoriented design methods for realizing these methods inhardware/software. The protocol detection algorithms are parameterizedand developed assuming representative fundamental physical layerproperties of existing protocols.

[0052] The second component is the overall reconfigurable protocol chiparchitecture. This architecture includes pseudo-dynamic reconfigurableobjects that implement the reconfiguration engine of a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or other processor, related hardware andsoftware components of the architecture, as well as integration of theprotocol detection algorithms. The architecture also includes theintegration of commercial-off-the shelf protocol implementations.

[0053] The third component is the architecture realized via areconfigurable hardware chip(s). The chip is characterized by anautonomous protocol sensing capability and autonomous pseudo-dynamicprotocol chip reconfiguration capability.

[0054]FIG. 2 illustrates the network layers of the protocol stack,generally denoted by reference numeral 44, which is implemented inprotocol chip 46. Protocol stack 44 is comprised a physical layer 48which includes all the users, servers, hubs, bridges and other elementsof network 42 of FIG. 1. These elements are in wireless communicationwith chip 46. Data link layer 50 is a commercial-off-the-shelf or laterdeveloped software or hardware element, which handles data communicationfrom and to physical layer 48. Network layer 52 is acommercial-off-the-shelf or later developed software or hardwareelement, which handles network coordination and communication of dataflowing from and to physical layer 48 through data link layer 50.Network layer 52 includes the various network protocols, which separateor alienate the various networks of FIG. 1 from each other. Transportlayer 54 is a commercial-off-the-shelf or later developed software orhardware element, which handles the transport of files between elementsin the network, such as by means of conventional TCP/IP protocols.Application layer 56 is a commercial-off-the-shelf or later developedsoftware or hardware element, which provides the user application oraccess to the networks of FIG. 1, such as a network browser. In theillustrated embodiment layers 50 and 52 are included within orconsidered part of chip 46, while layers 48 and 54 are in communicationwith chip 46.

[0055]FIG. 3 illustrates the architecture of the reconfigurable protocolsubsystems of chip 46. Reconfigurable protocol chip 46 has the followingfeatures:

[0056] a. Network Sensing: ability to discover network protocols quicklyand autonomously.

[0057] b. Flexible Implementation Platform: chip 46 has the resources(Operations per second, memory etc.) to implement a wide variety ofnetwork protocols

[0058] c. Dynamic Network Reconfiguration: chip 46 canreconfigure/program itself autonomously based on its network sensinginput or other authorized input.

[0059] d. Network Upgrades: chip 46 is upgradeable or enhanced yearsafter installation through over-the-air reconfiguration.

[0060] Autonomous protocol sensing/detection algorithms stored orhardwired into protocol sensing module 58 in FIG. 3 coupled to physicallayer 48 look at the periodic frame headers, preambles, etc. to identifythe appropriate network protocol. Sensing modules 58 is comprised of acourse acquisition loop 62 and a fine tracking loop 64 diagrammaticallydepicted in FIG. 4, where course acquisition loop 62 contains multipleconfidence states of valid protocol detection and fine tracking loop 64allows for a level of degradation due to physical and topologicalinterferences.

[0061] Reconfigurable control engine 66 is responsible for reconfiguringthe dynamic protocol realization when given a command from either theprotocol sensing module 58 or some external source. The protocolselection module 68 receives a command from either protocolsensing/detection module 58 or an external source telling it whichnetwork protocol 72 to access from memory storage 70. Protocol selectionmodule 68 acts as an interface between memory 70 and reconfigurablecontrol engine 66.

[0062] Protocol sensing module 58, reconfiguration control engine 66,protocol selection module 68, and network protocol configuration files72 stored in flash memory remain relatively static (i.e. these modulesmay be updated over time as new protocols are developed). The operationof dynamic protocol realization module 74 constantly changes withincoming data from physical layer 48 to accommodate different networkprotocols. These modules are built around field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs) and reduced instruction set chip microprocessors (RISC) arefavored over digital signal processors (DSPs) due to the nature of theprocessing required, the bandwidth, power demands and flexibilityobtainable with FPGAs, and the environment in which the dynamic module74 operates in space-based embodiments. In a space-based embodimentFPGAs are chosen because space flight qualified parts are available,partial reconfiguration of the FPGA is possible, FPGAs are immune tolatch ups, and prior experience with tools and prototype parts areavailable. A RISC has high MIPS/Watt ratio, excellent board supportpackage, and radiation tolerant parts are available.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment as shown in FIG. 5a thearchitecture contains only FPGA processing; specifically residing in twoFPGAs 76 and 78. All static modules of FIG. 3 (except network protocolconfiguration files 72) are implemented in a control FPGA 76. Thedynamic realization of different network protocols 72 is implemented ina dynamic FPGA 78.

[0064] A second embodiment shown in FIG. 5b chip 46 is implemented ineither dynamic FPGA 80 or control FPGA 82 or both and in a softwarecontrolled microprocessor 84. Static modules are implemented in controlFPGA 82 and software microprocessor 84. The dynamic realization ofdifferent network protocols is implemented in both dynamic FPGA 80 andsoftware microprocessor 84.

[0065] The first embodiment of FIG. 5a consumes less power, but thesecond embodiment of FIG. 5b provides more flexibility. Upper layers inthe network protocol stack 44 of FIG. 2 usually favor softwareimplementations over hardware. As protocols become more advanced, havinga microprocessor 84 in chip 46 will be more convenient. For anyarchitecture, some form of flash memory 70 is needed to store thedifferent network protocol configuration files 72.

[0066] One larger FPGA can be used in place of the control and dynamicFPGAs 76 and 78 or 80 and 82. However, partial reconfiguration of theFPGA will be required. True real-time partial reconfiguration in asingle FPGAs implementing complex and high rate processing is beyond thecurrent state-of-the art, although having one FPGA does have theadvantage of smaller mass and volume.

[0067] The proposed architecture extends Moore's law to Internetbandwidth and thereby offers an economic benefit. Moore's law, which isnot really a law but an informal prediction that closely approximateswhat has been observed in industry, states that the numbers oftransistors per unit area in microprocessors double about every 18months. The consequences of Moore's law include both increasing capacityof the affected equipment and lower per-unit costs. The extension ofMoore's law to Internet bandwidth has been estimated to offer thepotential to reduce the cost of 1 Mb/s of Internet bandwidth to only $1per month after ten years.

[0068] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those havingordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and thatit should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by thefollowing claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that theelements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, itmust be expressly understood that the invention includes othercombinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosedin above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

[0069] The words used in this specification to describe the inventionand its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the senseof their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definitionin this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope ofthe commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood inthe context of this specification as including more than one meaning,then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to allpossible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

[0070] The definitions of the words or elements of the following claimsare, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only thecombination of elements which are literally set forth, but allequivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially thesame function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially thesame result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that anequivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any oneof the elements in the claims below or that a single element may besubstituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements maybe described above as acting in certain combinations and even initiallyclaimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or moreelements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised fromthe combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0071] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewedby a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised,are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

[0072] The claims are thus to be understood to include what isspecifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionallyequivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentiallyincorporates the essential idea of the invention.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for reconfiguring a plurality of networks,each having a different network protocol into an intercommunicatednetwork comprising: a protocol stack; and a reconfigurable protocol chipcoupled the protocol stack.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 where theprotocol stack comprises in sequence and communicated to each other anapplication layer, a transport layer, a network layer, a data link layerand a physical layer.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the networklayer and data link layer are included at least in part in thereconfigurable protocol chip.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein thetransport layer and physical layer are communicated to thereconfigurable protocol chip.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thereconfigurable protocol chip is comprised of: a dynamicallyreconfigurable protocol realization module communicated to the physicallayer; a protocol sensing module communicated to the physical layer; areconfiguration control engine communicated to the protocol sensingmodule and to the dynamically reconfigurable protocol realizationmodule; a protocol selection module communicated to the protocol sensingmodule and to the reconfiguration control engine; and a memory forstoring a plurality of different network protocols.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein the dynamically reconfigurable protocol realizationmodule is implemented within a dynamic field programmable gate array. 7.The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the protocol sensing module, thereconfiguration control engine, and the protocol selection module areimplemented within a control field programmable gate array.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein the memory is implemented in a flashmemory.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the dynamicallyreconfigurable protocol realization module is implemented within adynamic field programmable gate array and within a software controlledprocessor.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the protocol sensingmodule is implemented within a control field programmable gate array,and wherein the reconfiguration control engine, and the protocolselection module are implemented within the control field programmablegate array and a software controlled processor.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 5 where the protocol sensing module is comprised of a courseacquisition loop for generation of multiple confidence states of validprotocol detection, and a fine tracking loop for allowance of somedegradation of information.
 12. The apparatus of claim 5 where theprotocol sensing module identifies network protocols by analyzingperiodic frame headers and preambles.
 13. The apparatus of claim 5 wherethe protocol sensing module generates a command on detection of anetwork protocol and where the reconfiguration control enginereconfigures the dynamic protocol realization in response to the commandfrom the protocol sensing module.
 14. The apparatus of claim 5 where theprotocol sensing module generates a command on detection of a networkprotocol and where protocol selection module fetches a stored networkprotocol from the memory in response to the command from the protocolsensing module.
 15. The apparatus of claim 5 where protocol selectionmodule interfaces the memory with the reconfiguration control engine.16. A method for reconfiguring a plurality of networks, each having adifferent network protocol into an intercommunicated network comprising:providing a protocol stack; and communicating a reconfigurable protocolchip coupled the protocol stack.
 17. The method of claim 16 whereproviding the protocol stack comprises providing an application layer, atransport layer, a network layer, a data link layer and a physicallayer, and serially communicating the layers with each other.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 wherein providing the network layer and data linklayer includes providing the network layer and data link layer at leastin part in the reconfigurable protocol chip.
 19. The method of claim 18wherein providing the transport layer and physical layer includescommunicating the transport layer and physical layer to thereconfigurable protocol chip.
 20. The method of claim 16 whereincommunicating the reconfigurable protocol chip comprises communicating adynamically reconfigurable protocol realization module to the physicallayer; communicating a protocol sensing module to the physical layer;communicating a reconfiguration control engine to the protocol sensingmodule and to the dynamically reconfigurable protocol realizationmodule;communicating a communicated selection module to the protocolsensing module and to the reconfiguration control engine; andcommunicating a memory for storing a plurality of different networkprotocols to the protocol sensing module.
 21. The method of claim 20further comprising implementing the dynamically reconfigurable protocolrealization module within a dynamic field programmable gate array. 22.The method of claim 20 further comprising implementing the protocolsensing module, the reconfiguration control engine, and the protocolselection module within a control field programmable gate array.
 23. Themethod of claim 20 further comprising implementing the memory in a flashmemory.
 24. The method of claim 20 further comprising implementing thedynamically reconfigurable protocol realization module within a dynamicfield programmable gate array and within a software controlledprocessor.
 25. The method of claim 20 further comprising implementingthe protocol sensing module within a control field programmable gatearray, and the reconfiguration control engine, and the protocolselection module within the control field programmable gate array and asoftware controlled processor.
 26. The method of claim 20 furthercomprising generating multiple confidence states of valid protocoldetection in a course acquisition loop included in the protocol sensingmodule and allowing some degradation of information in a fine trackingloop included in the protocol sensing module.
 27. The method of claim 20further comprising identifying network protocols in the protocol sensingmodule by analyzing periodic frame headers and preambles.
 28. The methodof claim 20 further comprising generating a command on detection of anetwork protocol in the protocol sensing module and reconfiguring thedynamic protocol realization in response to the command from theprotocol sensing module by means of the control engine.
 29. The methodof claim 20 further comprising generating a command on detection of anetwork protocol in the protocol sensing module and fetching a storednetwork protocol from the memory in response to the command from theprotocol sensing module by means of the selection module.
 30. The methodof claim 20 further comprising interfacing the memory with thereconfiguration control engine by means of the protocol selectionmodule.